"Number #786, your name is now 'Dog'."
The piercing voice echoed through the damp underground slave camp, its reverberations akin to the whispers of death. A branding iron, ablaze with white holy flame, traced an arc through the air before descending onto the back of a gaunt Eastern youth.
"Ahhh—!"
The sound of flesh sizzling mingled with screams, blending with the putrid stench of blood in the air, suffusing the dungeon with an atmosphere of terror.
The black-robed church deacon's lips curled into a faint smile as he pressed the branding iron into the youth's flesh for a full five seconds, ensuring the mark of slavery was seared into his very bones.
"Next."
He released his grip, and the branding iron was lifted, its surface now coated with charred flesh and blood, faint wisps of white smoke rising from it. The youth's body shuddered violently before collapsing to his knees, like a fragile piece of pottery on the verge of shattering.
Raine made no sound.
He clenched his teeth, enduring the searing pain tearing through his back, yet his eyes remained clear, like a spark of fire hidden deep within the darkness, refusing to be extinguished.
I am Raine.
I am not Number #786, I am not a slave, I am not a "dog."
One day, I will make them pay!
But he knew he had no right to say those words now.
Raine had once been a person from another world.
He had been an ordinary college student on Earth, but after a car accident, he woke up to find himself in this world of swords and magic. Yet, he was not chosen as a hero, nor was he reborn as a prince, duke, or noble heir. Instead, he became a slave.
His bloodline had determined his fate.
In this world, there were two types of power: Western magic and Eastern spiritual energy.
Magic was controlled by the nobility, a "noble force" bestowed by the gods. Spiritual energy, however, was deemed "heretical" by the church, and anyone with spiritual bloodline was either executed or reduced to the lowest form of slavery.
Raine's body was that of an Eastern slave with spiritual energy in his veins.
He had no family, no friends, only cold chains and whips. For half a year, he had survived in this underground slave camp, witnessing countless others like him perish—either at the hands of sadistic nobles or in the gladiatorial arenas as entertainment.
And today, he too would be sent to the arena, a new plaything for the nobles.
No! I cannot die!
Raine's nails dug deeply into his palms. He refused to die like this. He wanted to live... he wanted revenge!
Just then, an intense pain surged through his body, and his consciousness jolted as a strange, authoritative voice echoed in his mind—
[Ding! Detected extreme pain in the host. 'Spiritual Devouring System' activated!]
Raine's pupils contracted sharply!
A faint golden virtual panel unfolded before his eyes:
---
[Host: Raine]
[Status: Weak, Slave]
[Talent: Spiritual Devour] (Can absorb magic, holy light, and life force)
---
A system?!
Raine's mind reeled. This sudden turn of events made him wonder if he was hallucinating, but in the next moment, his body began to change.
The skin that had been on the verge of burning him to death was now healing at a visible rate!
Not only that, but he could also sense the magical energy flowing around him!
No, it wasn't just sensing... he could devour it!
He greedily absorbed the holy light energy that permeated the air, the very sacred power of the church now assimilated into his body, transforming into a warm current that coursed through his meridians!
Raine shuddered, his fists clenching tightly.
He could grow stronger!
He had finally found a glimmer of hope for survival!
"Number #787, lift your head."
The next slave was dragged forward, his eyes filled with terror.
Raine, however, kept his head down, a faint, cold smile curling at the corners of his lips.
He did not rush to reveal his newfound power.
In the arena, battles between slaves were the nobles' favorite form of entertainment. Only the victors were allowed to live, while the defeated faced certain death.
Now, all he needed was an opportunity... a chance to kill them all!